Rings of Power Bear McCreary's The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)

[Jay 39,764]

Boy its been a busy week.  I finally have time to share my thoughts on the episode 7 album now.

 

Overall, I would say its one of the lesser episode albums.  This is largely due to the season album already covering most of its highlights, though as always there are some good highlights that aren't on it.  "Nine for Mortal Men" is one of them - it was so cool to hear the Forging motif again, and yet another new, wonderful, long-lined version of the Rings of Power theme.  I also really liked "Shattered Illusion"; Even though we had the Eregion middle part on the season album, it now being book-ended by statements of Sauron's theme leads to much more interesting track than only having the middle part would have led you to believe.  "The Orc Camp" was a standout too, just because it features different types of action/suspense writing than what dominates most of the album, and it was fun to hear Elrond, Arondir, and Galadriel's themes all playing together.

 

But my biggest problem with the album is, I guess contrary to what some people here have said, I don't think it flows very well.  The way the album kind of alternates between tracks that combine a bunch of action music together and tracks that don't make it feel less like a flowing album and more like a collection of various ideas, to me.  There's one really weird part where the first ~2:20 of "The Battle for Eregion Begins" is a wonderful, solid piece of music that should have been its own track, but instead awkward segues to the bit that opened up the whole "Battle for Eregion" track on the season album, and it should have opened up a track here too.  Then later around 4:52 or so there's another climactic moment that just crossfades to another opening-style moment.  These things make the track feel too "stop and go"-y when there's so much crossfading of cues with their own big climaxes in one long track.

 

So I dunno, watching the episode might change my mind, but these are my initial impressions of the episode album.  I like all the music here, basically, just can't jive with the way its been presented to us here.

 

Oh!  And the Damrod music used as an actual cue is indeed better than the too-hardcare concert arrangement version.  I really love the swirling, chaotic strings in the track, it reminds me of the music for the robot ship thingies in The Matrix.  And then working Noble Warrior, Elrond, and Arondir action variants into the mix is really something else!

[Richard P 4,269]

I particularly love the end of Damrod - some great brass and choral material. I think he should've put this on the OST instead of the concert type arrangement, which I removed from my playlist. I just can't stand that amplified and largely isolated vocal, which is more buried in this track.

 

I agree with the sequencing issues to some extent, but if you watch the episode I think it makes a bit more sense - I was surprised by the amount of jumping around in the show and how broken up the action parts were, so unless Bear went full concept on us and put the action material in one huge track, I think it was difficult to escape this sequencing and Bear took his chance to make a version that flows better on the OST.

[Jay 39,764]

Yes, the ending of the Damrod track is awesome, and definite season highlight material for me too.  The concert arrangement of Damrod's theme is literally the only tracks in the entirety of all the albums from both seasons that I just don't need to return to.

 

 

So having seen episode 7, I kind of like the album even less.  The way the music is used in the episode is really good, rising and falling action at just the right time, everything spread out nicely, nice little action moments that climax then something else happens before another one, etc.  But this episode album is just a crossfaded mess of all kinds of bits joined together to make these long suite tracks that don't do any of it justice.  I feel like in attempting to not make the music seem too chaotic and all over the place because the episode has all this rising and falling action, he went too far in the other direction and combined too much stuff together.

 

Another disapointment is the use of Noble Warrior/ Nolwa Mahtar. In season 1 it was this great one-off melody that perfectly amplified the heroic nature of Galadriel riding into a battle that seemed utterly lost to save the day.  And it was so neat to hear it used as the Season 2, episode 1 title card.  But now here at the end of season 2 its WAYYYY overused in this siege!  I thought it would represent some kind of heroic moments, but instead its used simply as the theme for the Lindon elves doing ANYTHING in this battle, meaning we heard it A LOT.  It gets used so much, it dilutes its once great majesty.  Holding it back until later in the episode, and only being used for some big hero moments, would have been way better use of it in my opinion.  Oh well.

 

I also want to say that the Adar / Orcs theme makes a huge impression in the episode.  There was a cool shot where we actually see an orc drumming the beat on screen and Bear's cue was perfectly in sync with it.  Really fun!

[Doo_liss 6,640]

Kinda explains why he included all those arrangements that used it on the early albums though. (Not that it really needed an explanation or anything.)

[Jay 39,764]

So this Thursday, episode 8 will drop on Amazon Prime.  The Episode 8 score album will drop on Amazon Music.  But also, the other streaming music service / digital music stores should have all 8 episode albums up for stream / sale.

 

At least that's how it worked 2 years ago for season 1's episode albums!

[DangerMotif 1,140]

I think they aren’t dropping on other streaming till Friday 

[Jay 39,764]

That wouldn't surprise me at all!

[Jay 39,764]

So I've been going back and re-listening to all the episode albums as we head to the imminent arrival of the episode 8 album.  Anybody else doing the same?

 

I feel like I completely missed how much really cool stuff is in the long "Dawn of the Second Age" track that opens the episode albums up is.  Right away we see how Bear is playing with the established Sauron and Adar themes in numerous ways and its so cool.  He even brings in the percussion sound from his "Overture" tracks around the 2:15ish mark.

[TheUlyssesian 2,589]

Bear's Blog up!!!!!

 

https://bearmccreary.com/the-lord-of-the-rings-episode-201/

 

[Knight of Ren 1,089]

Was just gonna share it, haha. Earlier than expected and I hope he clarifies some of the new themes and motifs associations and their meanings!

[Jay 39,764]

lol, another theme to categorize:

 

Later, their ship is attacked by the sea worm. I scored this sequence with a new version of the same relentless 3/4 string ostinato and gruesome low brass melody I composed for the creature in season one. (I suppose that makes this music the Sea Worm theme!)

 

and potential future new theme alert

 

Surviving his dive and seeking an ally, Elrond sneaks to a seaport known as the Grey Havens, supported by a quick woodwind quotation of his theme. As the camera pulls back across this iconic location from Tolkien’s writing, I introduce a serene chorale, built from two unrelated major chords followed by surprising minor chords. The singers gently offer the Quenya words “Mistalondi, nóri Eldaron,” meaning “Grey Havens, Elven lands.”

To declare this passage the Grey Havens theme as of now would be a bit of a stretch, since it only occurs once in the series so far. Should the narrative require a theme for this place in the future, however, the musical sees are planted here for a proper Grey Havens theme down the line.

 

Ah, nice!  He explains why the Forging Theme is heard in the first 2 episodes, even though new rings are only forged in the 3rd and 7th episode:

 

Galadriel and Gil-galad put on rings, while Círdan wears the third. Beneath the singers, the strings ignite into swirling threads of the Forging theme. Originally added to the score in the first season finale, this rippling little motivic idea is connected to the concept of making, and now using, the Rings of Power.

 

(Bolding mine)

 

And he explains that the Rings theme represents more than just the Rings of Power:

 

Henceforth, “Where the Shadows Lie” will become arguably the most important musical material for the second season, as its variations come to simultaneously represent concepts including mithril, forging, the Rings of Power, Sauron’s machinations, and Celebrimbor himself.

[TheUlyssesian 2,589]

14 minutes ago, Jay said:

and potential future new theme alert

 

Surviving his dive and seeking an ally, Elrond sneaks to a seaport known as the Grey Havens, supported by a quick woodwind quotation of his theme. As the camera pulls back across this iconic location from Tolkien’s writing, I introduce a serene chorale, built from two unrelated major chords followed by surprising minor chords. The singers gently offer the Quenya words “Mistalondi, nóri Eldaron,” meaning “Grey Havens, Elven lands.”

To declare this passage the Grey Havens theme as of now would be a bit of a stretch, since it only occurs once in the series so far. Should the narrative require a theme for this place in the future, however, the musical sees are planted here for a proper Grey Havens theme down the line.

 

I already called out this theme!

 

On 31/08/2024 at 12:11 AM, TheUlyssesian said:

Now I did notice another motif, that may or may not be a motif - 0:00 to 0:24 is Cirdan is played over an introductory establishing shot of The Grey Havens - a key location in the mythos. But I don't think it returns. But if it does, it could be a Grey Havens motif.

[Jay 39,764]

Friday confirmed for the episode albums showing up on other services:

 

As of this Friday, October 4, all eight episode-specific soundtrack albums for The Rings of Power season two will be available to stream on all platforms.

 

 

~

 

 

2 hours ago, TheUlyssesian said:

I already called out this theme!

 

I've now listened to it (0:00-0:24 of "Cirdan") a few times, and its lovely!  I could totally see it getting expanded into a full concert arrangement in the future.

 

~

 

So he has a lot to cover in the episode 2 blog: Rhûn, Eregion, Deception, and the unknown theme that later returns in episode 7 and 8.  Though I would bet he'll push discussion of that theme to the episode 7 blog, like how he pushed Rhûn into the 2nd episode blog.

[Knight of Ren 1,089]

Great blog! It's nice to know about all those little details you guys mentioned above. I really hope that choral passage from Círdan becomes a motif for the Grey Havens because it's so beautiful, and I like that its sonically related to the Valinor theme, which makes sense story-wise.

 

Also, he mentions several times the rhythmic patter usually played under Adar's theme as a sort of separate idea, and I've noticed that in this season it plays a lot of times on its own. For example, To Serve the Lord of Mordor has it in a very slow variation at the middle of it, and it's all over the action in Eregion sometimes joined by Adar's theme and the Nampat chant but other times playing on its own or alongside other themes.

 

And what he mentions about Golden Leaves makes me think it wasn't really intended as a theme for Gil-galad, but just a song that fit that scene, and that was later refered to in instrumental form at the beginning of the episode. That could explain why it hasn't returned again since. Altough I guess it could properly become his leitmotif later on in the show.

[Jay 39,764]

Yes that's actually one of my biggest disappointments with the season.  In Episode 1 the theme fit his character so well, I loved the theme's introduction when he is first seen, and the full song version sung onscreen at the end of the episode and then reprised in the end credits.

I was so bummed when the them never returned for his other appearances throughout the season, especially in episode 7 when he gets in on the action!

[Knight of Ren 1,089]

What I keep wondering is if this melody is what Bear mentioned in Season 1 about a future Gil-galad theme or if perhaps is something else we have yet to hear in future seasons if he becomes more prominent. But as mentioned, he does have several moments this season where the theme could've returned but it didn't. I might try to ask him in twitter where he usually answers fan's questions.

[Monoverantus 539]

6 minutes ago, Knight of Ren said:

What I keep wondering is if this melody is what Bear mentioned in Season 1 about a future Gil-galad theme or if perhaps is something else we have yet to hear in future seasons if he becomes more prominent. But as mentioned, he does have several moments this season where the theme could've returned but it didn't. I might try to ask him in twitter where he usually answers fan's questions.

He supposedly revealed in an Instagram live stream that, as you say, he has an idea for Gil-Galad's theme, and Golden Leaves is not it.

I'm not sure what I think of this approach, as he has stated something similar with the Eregion theme too (it supposedly didn't need a theme in S1). Won't the pay-off be even greater with consistent set-up? Consider if Shore didn't bother to put the Gondor theme in the Council of Elrond, because "Gondor didn't need a theme yet"?

[Jay 39,764]

He mentioned 2 years ago that he wanted to write a Gil-galad theme?

[Knight of Ren 1,089]

He mentioned in his blog about episode 1 of season 1 when talking about the piece of music that goes alongside Gil-galad's gifting ceremony:

 

Quote

I have a more specific theme for Gil-galad planned, but it does not occur in the first season

 

[Jay 39,764]

So he planned a theme during season 1, wrote a different theme for him in one episode of season 2, then didn't use that theme or introduce his original plan for any other his other appearances in other episodes this season?

[Knight of Ren 1,089]

This is what he answered to my question about that theme!

 

I love that he takes his time to answer all these questions about such specific details. It makes his work and him a lot more approachable.

[Jay 39,764]

Nice!

 

I found the Sea Worm theme btw

• Season 1, Episode 2, "Adrift" from 2:15-3:30
• Season 2, Episode 1, "Dawn of the Second Age" from 10:20-11:05

[TheUlyssesian 2,589]

1 hour ago, Monoverantus said:

He supposedly revealed in an Instagram live stream that, as you say, he has an idea for Gil-Galad's theme, and Golden Leaves is not it.

I'm not sure what I think of this approach, as he has stated something similar with the Eregion theme too (it supposedly didn't need a theme in S1). Won't the pay-off be even greater with consistent set-up? Consider if Shore didn't bother to put the Gondor theme in the Council of Elrond, because "Gondor didn't need a theme yet"?

 

To be fair Shore knew exactly what the story was. With a TV show that's never possible.

[Monoverantus 539]

29 minutes ago, TheUlyssesian said:

To be fair Shore knew exactly what the story was. With a TV show that's never possible.

I think it's impossible to go into composing the score for an adaptation of the Second Age and not anticipate that Gil-Galad and Eregion will be narratively important.

[TheUlyssesian 2,589]

5 minutes ago, Monoverantus said:

I think it's impossible to go into composing the score for an adaptation of the Second Age and not anticipate that Gil-Galad and Eregion will be narratively important.

 

So you would think, but television is more mired in uncertainty than you can imagine. It is a problem of emphasis. Sure, we know Gil Galad will play an important role. But so far, he's only been a supporting character. I think it is perfectly natural for Bear to tackle scores on a per-season basis. He doesn't yet have the full measure of the entire decade-long story arc. 

 

Like Williams didn't write a theme for Vader until episode 5.

[Jay 39,764]

Sure he did

 

 

He just wrote a BETTER theme for the sequel

[Monoverantus 539]

27 minutes ago, TheUlyssesian said:

Like Williams didn't write a theme for Vader until episode 5.

I'm pretty sure Bear himself has said that he imagines if John Williams could go back in time and put the Imperial March in ANH, he probably would. Quite ironic to think he might end up in the same spot.

[Chen G. 4,719]

47 minutes ago, Jay said:

He just wrote a BETTER theme for the sequel

 

Which is a very normal thing: So, in Valkyrie Siegfried has this theme and then in Siegfried he also gains this theme. The so-called "House of Durin", though hinted at in An Unexpected Journey, doesn't really come to the fore until The Desolation of Smaug.

 

Perhaps the thing that makes the Williams' example more unique is that the original motive drops out of the storytelling.

[TheUlyssesian 2,589]

You know what I mean. We also might be at a point of excess of themes.

 

If he needs a theme for Gil Galad performing heroic deeds, Nolwa Mahtar can suffice that need too as it is an Elvish action theme.

 

I am personally not too bothered by the absence of a major theme for Gil Galad. The writing and directing (which Bear doesn't do) haven't positioned him as a primary character yet. If and when they do and he merits a theme, I am sure Bear will accommodate. He seems only two happy to write new themes!

[Jay 39,764]

I didn't mean to imply that I'm bothered by a lack of theme for Gil-galad; I was merely saying that I LIKE the theme he gets in episode 1 a lot, and then was bummed it didn't show up again

[Jay 39,764]

 

1. True Wealth of the Mountain (6:04)
2. Confronting the Dark Wizard (3:34)
3. The White Flame (6:11)
4. Sauron and Celebrimbor (2:30)
5. No Passage for Low Men (5:16)
6. Wounds That Have Endured (4:18)
7. The Fall of Galadriel (12:06)
8. Shadow and Flame (feat. Rory Kinnear and Daniel Weyman) (16:01)

 

https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/10/02/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-season-2-episode-8-shadow-and-flame-soundtrack-albums-details/

[Taikomochi 1,257]

So Old Tom Bombadil reprise is definitely in that last track. Guess River Daughter really never was used, unless it’s the end credits for this ep.

[DangerMotif 1,140]

15 minutes ago, Jay said:

8. Shadow and Flame (feat. Rory Kinnear and Daniel Weyman) (6:01)

16:01 not 6:01

[Jay 39,764]

I just copy-pasted what Film Music Reporter posted!

[Tydirium 1,402]

45 minutes ago, Taikomochi said:

So Old Tom Bombadil reprise is definitely in that last track. Guess River Daughter really never was used, unless it’s the end credits for this ep.

 

Based on the track’s placement on the album, I’m inclined to believe that it was intended as an Episode 4 track—that maybe Goldberry was originally going to have slightly more of a role. Either that, or Bear just wanted to give her an actual song on the album, based on her brief (audio) appearance in the episode.

[Jay 39,764]

The River-daughter isn't on the episode 8 album and yeah, it seems like it was either recorded to go in episode 4 then cut by the showrunners from that episode, OR it was just something Bear recorded for the season album as a treat for the fans

[tomsmoviemadness 3,623]

Well we hear it in episode 4 very quietly right?

When The Stranger think Bombadil is with someone. Or am I mistaken?

[Jay 39,764]

Here's how the episode 8 album compares to the season album

 

1. True Wealth of the Mountain (6:03)

• 0:00-2:27 = New Music! {Khazad-dûm, Durin}

• 2:27-3:08 = 5:14-5:57 of “Durin's Bane” from the season album

• 3:08-3:36 = New Music! {Durin}

• 3:36-end = 5:57-end of “Durin's Bane” from the season album, BUT! The music from 6:51-7:01 from the season album track is snipped out at the 4:35 mark of the episode album version!

2. Confronting the Dark Wizard (3:33)

• New Music! {Rhûn, Nori, The Stranger}

3. The White Flame (6:10)

• 0:00-4:14 = New Music! {Númenor, Elendil/Isildur/Faithful}

• 4:14-5:37 = 2:36-3:59 of “Army of Orcs” from the season album

• 5:37-5:51 = New Music!

• 5:51-end = 3:59-end of “Army of Orcs” from the season album

4. Sauron and Celebrimbor (2:29)

• 0:00-1:10 = New Music! {Sauron}

• 1:10-1:42 = 0:00-0:38 of “Last Temptation” from the season album

• 1:42-end = New Music! {Sauron}

5. No Passage for Low Men (5:15)

• New Music! {Estrid, Elendil/Isildur/Faithful, Númenor, Galadriel}

6. Wounds That Have Endured (4:18)

• New Music! {Galadriel, Sauron}

7. The Fall of Galadriel (12:05)

• 0:00-1:02 = New Music! {Sauron}

• 1:02-1:58 = 0:38-1:34 of “Last Temptation” from the season album, with 2 extra seconds of music that was snipped out at the 1:21 mark of the season album version

• 1:58-3:10 = New Music! {Adar/Orcs, Elrond}

• 3:10-4:33 = 1:34-2:57 of “Last Temptation” from the season album

• 4:33-6:02 = New Music! {Galadriel, The Rings of Power, Sauron}

• 6:02-7:46 = 2:57-4:51 of “Last Temptation” from the season album, with 2 extra seconds of music that was snipped out at the 4:28 and 4:31 marks of the season album version, BUT! There’s 4 seconds of music in the season album version from 3:47-3:51 that is snipped out of the episode album version at the 6:39 mark!

• 7:46-8:54 = New Music! {Khazad-dûm, Arondir, Durin, Sauron}

• 8:54-10:35 = 4:51-6:28 of “Last Temptation” from the season album, with 6 extra seconds of music that was snipped out at the 5:49 mark of the season album version

• 10:35-11:22 = New Music!

• 11:22-end = 6:28-end of “Last Temptation” from the season album

8. Shadow and Flame (16:01)

• 0:00-1:02 = New Music! {Stoors, Nori}

• 1:02-2:57 = 0:00-1:56 of “The Staff” from the season album

• 2:57-3:38 = New Music! {Stoors}

• 3:38-5:08 = 1:56-3:26 of “The Staff” from the season album

• 5:08-5:21 = New Music!

• 5:21-6:06 = 3:26-end of “The Staff” from the season album

• 6:06-8:16 = “Old Tom Bombadil Reprise” from the season album, but with 4 seconds of music restored from 7:08-7:12 that was snipped out of the season album version at 1:02

• 8:16-11:37 = New Music! {Rhûn, Durin, Khazad-dûm, Galadriel, Elrond}

• 11:37-end = “The Sun Yet Shines” from the season album, BUT! The choir-free statement of Noble Warrior from 3:00-3:12 of the season album version is snipped out at the 14:37 mark

[Holko 10,401]

And it's a fucking great album! Strangely, even though so much of it was on the OST, I really got the "season finale, stuff concluding" vibes that I was missing from the end of the OST (since S1 had it).

[Jay 39,764]

Final update for the season album

 

Concert Arrangements (23:55)

• 01 Old Tom Bombadil (3:10)
• 02 Rhûn (2:35)
• 03 Concerning Stoors (3:32)
• 04 Golden Leaves (3:18)
• 08 Eregion (3:42)
• 12 Estrid (3:12)
• 14 The River-daughter (1:09)
• 19 The Last Ballad of Damrod (3:17)

Episode 1 - Elven Kings Under the Sky (4:53)

• 05A Cirdan's Perfection [0:00-4:53] (4:53)

Episode 2 - Where the Stars are Strange (10:32)

• 06 Stone Singers (1:15)
• 07 Sandstorm at the Well (3:46)
• 09A Emissary at the Forge  [0:00-5:31] (5:31)

Episode 3 - The Eagle and the Sceptre (8:50)

• 10 Shelob (1:48)
• 11 The Pyre (2:28)
• 13 The Great Eagle (2:57)
• 05B Cirdan's Perfection [4:53-end] (1:37)

Episode 4 - Eldest (5:04)

• 15 Barrow-wights (2:24)
• 16 Forgiveness Takes an Age (2:40)

Episode 5 - Halls of Stone (3:40)

• 17 Candles on the Tide (3:40)

Episode 6 - Where Is He? (1:07)

• 18A Army of Orcs [0:00-1:07] (1:07)

Episode 7 - Doomed To Die (19:24)

• 09B Emissary at the Forge [5:31-end] (1:05)
• 18B Army of Orcs [1:03-2:36] (1:33)
• 20 Battle for Eregion (11:32)
• 21A Durin's Bane [0:00-5:14] (5:14)

Episode 8 - Shadow And Flame (23:19)

• 21B Durin's Bane [5:14-end] (3:23)
• 18C Army of Orcs [2:36-end] (1:35)
• 22 Last Temptation (7:11)
• 23 The Staff (4:17)
• 24 Old Tom Bombadil Reprise (2:19)
• 25 The Sun Yet Shines (4:34)

[Knight of Ren 1,089]

Yeah, it feels more satisfying having all 8 episode albums and then concluding with those two really long tracks! And it helps that there are some great variations on themes that weren't as prominent on the season release.

 

I really like the Númenor material in The White Flame, especially how the Finale motif os joined by the Faithful theme in a vocal rendition leading to the remaining section of Army of Orcs. And speaking of Adar's theme, it's great to hear some unexpectedly bright variations on Wounds That Have Endured.

 

At first I felt some of the new themes like Eregion or Estrid were a bit sidelined, but after hearing their development I feel they're pretty well used. Eregion got lots of moments to shine in these last three episodes and really makes an emotional impact. And while Estrid's theme should have been more prominent, No Passage for Low Men finally features some satisfying renditions of her theme, even with an appearance of the b section of the theme!

 

And those two last tracks are awesome! Last Temptation works great as The Fall of Galadriel with the extended material, altough I feel the last track works better with its three respective tracks on their own instead of one long piece of music.

 

Planning on going to the very beginning of the season and listen to the whole thing through to hear how it works as an overall listening experience!

[Jay 39,764]

What is Adar's theme in Wounds That Have Endured?  I swear I heard the Valinor theme in there but I'm probably wrong

[Tydirium 1,402]

3:18 to the end.

[Edmilson 9,136]

Having listened to the entire score of the season, I have to say: this is really outstanding work. Some of the best TV music of the century.

 

However... I really don't care for the "Avatar-style choir" that we listened in the dark wizard-related tracks. Ever since Avatar itself I found that style of choir kinda annoying. But it has since been reused in John Powell's Solo and now here.

 

Can someone tell me what this kind of choir music is called? Who invented and where did it originated? It's not something Horner came up out of thin air when he was writing Avatar, right? 

[Taikomochi 1,257]

I believe it’s a Bulgarian choir

 

 

This sounds a little TOO much like Rhun lol

[Knight of Ren 1,089]

59 minutes ago, Jay said:

What is Adar's theme in Wounds That Have Endured?  I swear I heard the Valinor theme in there but I'm probably wrong

It also plays at 0:12 of that track in the bright variation I mentioned, and at 1:44 played by low strings!

[Edmilson 9,136]

18 minutes ago, Taikomochi said:

I believe it’s a Bulgarian choir

 

 

This sounds a little TOO much like Rhun lol

Bear just typed "Bulgarian choir" on Youtube and clicked on this exact video lol

 

But personally I find this kind of choir too weird, somewhat annoying but also unintentionally funny. It's appropriate for representing exotic mystical stuff in fantasy/sci-fi but not my favorite though. 

[Tydirium 1,402]

42 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

Having listened to the entire score of the season, I have to say: this is really outstanding work. Some of the best TV music of the century.

 

However... I really don't care for the "Avatar-style choir" that we listened in the dark wizard-related tracks. Ever since Avatar itself I found that style of choir kinda annoying. But it has since been reused in John Powell's Solo and now here.

 

Can someone tell me what this kind of choir music is called? Who invented and where did it originated? It's not something Horner came up out of thin air when he was writing Avatar, right? 

 

Funnily enough, the Dark Wizard stuff actually doesn’t remind me of Horner’s Avatar, but what absolutely does remind me of it this season is moments like 1:05 in “Last Temptation.” That sounds rhythmically/stylistically way more similar to Horner, IMO.

[Jay 39,764]

The episode 8 album is incredible!!!

 

This is just a great album of film music by any metric, but even within the collective 18 albums released for this series so far, this is up there as one of the best ones!

 

One major reason its so successful is that all of the major themes appear, and many appearances of those themes take them in brilliant new directions.  Add to the mix is the beautiful, long-form, choral statement of the unknown theme from episodes 2 and 7, a really exciting new duel motif that occurs throughout the long duel track, and one of the best finale and end credits pieces EVER.... this is a huge winner.

 

It's also great that even though 2/5ths of this music was already on the season album, the entire album still feels fresh and new due to all the additions to those pieces and all the completely new music in between them - and because the ending was already so strong to begin with it just elevates the experience of either album every time you play it.

 

The biggest standout of completely new material is definitely what he does with the Númenor theme in both "The White Flame" and "No Passage For Low Men".  The mixing and matching of the difference pieces of that theme was already really cool way back in episode 3, but this another whole evolution with different rhythms and instrumentation and I'm sure other musical devices I couldn't even articulate.

 

Likewise the dark wizard Rhûn material feels fresh and exciting again in "Confronting The Dark Wizard" and "Shadow and Flame".  It makes me so curious to know what happens with this character, just listening to the music!

 

The biggest surprise was the forgotten character Estrid, whose theme comes back in a HUGE way in "No Passage For Low Men" - wow!  This track contains the best renditions of her theme yet!  The Isildur theme weaving in and out with it is pretty great too.

 

"The Fall of Galadriel" compared to "Last Temptation" is such an interesting study in different ways to approach album production.  Both tracks have the same core, but "Last Temptation" is a really slick condensing that largely sticks to the upbeat parts to a killer 7 minute track.  If you've listened to a lot, the 12 minute "The Fall of Galadriel" version might seem a bit "stop and go"y at first, but that goes away pretty quickly when you realize just how good some of the parts taken out for the season album are.  I never would have guessed that the whole sequence involves bringing in the themes for Adar, Khazad-dûm, Arondir, and Durin in addition to the Galadriel, Sauron, Eregion, Halbrand, Noble Warrior, and Elrond themes that were in the shorter edit.  Wow!

 

"Shadow and Flame" just makes me more curious to learn what the unknown theme represents, since now we know its sandwiched by the Stoors theme that was carved out of the season album.  And the big 3 minutes of season wrap-up music with Rhûn, Durin, Khazad-dûm, Galadriel, and Elrond to bridge us from "Old Tom Bombadil Reprise" to "The Sun Yet Shines", wow!

 

 

My only complaint would be the excessive crossfading that was also present on the last episode album.  The first 4 minutes of "The White Flame" are a nice Númenor track that comes to a nice climax.... but then segues to the last bit of Eregion battle music.  I would have loved to have had that Númenor music self contained and moved Orc music to another track. 

But the one that's more bothersome is that the final track has no reason to be 16 minutes long!  Right at the halfway mark, the Stranger and Bombabil song ends and comes to its natural conclusion, and would have been a nice ending to a 8 minute track, with the folllowing Rhûn material kicking off another 8 minute track to wrap the season up.  Instead, both of these ending suites they are crossfaded together, with a weird echo effect added to the end of the song to help with the segue, and we end up with a huge 16 minute track for some reason.  Totally unnecessary.

 

Still, a great album of film music!

[Tydirium 1,402]

After these last three episode soundtracks, I think “Army of Orcs” is standing out as a real highlight of Bear’s skills as an album arranger. Very cool to have a track that compiles some of the best Orc battle bits from three (!) separate episodes.